Photo By Pfc. Erin Swisher | Volunteer Caroline Smith grooms a rescue horse at the Belton Lake and Activities...... read more read more
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Trotters Comfort Troops
(Story by PV2 Erin Swisher, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are mental conditions that affect Soldiers and their family members on a daily basis, however the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area ranch offers a unique sanctuary for individuals overcoming any of these obstacles.
BLORA is home to one donkey, two miniature ponies, and 15 rescue horses. These animals serve to alleviate stress, and to help develop the skills needed for a healthy state of living.
Caroline Smith is a volunteer at the BLORA ranch, and enjoys facilitating that transition for all Soldiers, their Family Members and Veterans in need. From experience, Smith is confident that working past anxiety or stress can result in better sleep, a better work ethic and an all-around better lifestyle.
Smith finds it important to use her own struggles with anxiety to fuel and motivate others to work through their individual problems.
Last spring she had an abrupt anxiety attack while riding one of her favorite horses, Maggie. The situation could easily have turned south, however, Maggie caught on to what was happening and carried Smith through the ride until she was calm enough to unmount.
“Horses react to what they sense from you,” said Smith. “They are a wonderful mirror to how we are dealing with things.”
The horses range anywhere from 1,000 pounds to 2,000 pounds, but they are gentle. Smith feels that being around them, touching them, sitting on them, or even just holding a rope and walking them is calming and gives off a sensation of being at peace with yourself.
U.S. Military Veteran Mike Gaboury, is another volunteer at the BLORA ranch that promotes being around a horse makes an individual feel peaceful and tranquil.
Gaboury believes that people with anger issues of any kind, for any reason, could really benefit from these programs. Whether it be PTSD, drug rehab, alcohol rehab or depression, it works in all fields.
“Imagine you’re a Soldier struggling with PTSD and you have a great family relationship but all of the sudden you come home snapping at your spouse or children before you can even think about it,” said Gaboury. “Coming out to the ranch and spending time with the animals brings you to a spiritual peace in as little as an hour.”
Gaboury recalls a former Sergeant First Class that he worked with before he retired. He was a husband and a father and had been on several combat tours. He was going through tough times and battling PTSD once he returned from his last deployment which was starting to impact his home life negatively.
“I tried to find ways to help him but nothing seemed to stick,” said Gaboury. “Years later I found out about this program and I think it would be perfect for him.”
Gaboury plans on reaching out to him and believes that all Soldiers should take advantage of a program the ranch offers called, “Hoofbeats for Heroes”. This program is available to service members, veterans, and their family members. All profits are put back into the program to provide reduced or waived fees for those who suffer from PTSD or any other conditions that can benefit from equine therapy.
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2019 11:26 |
| Story ID: | 313930 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Trotters Comfort Troops, by PFC Erin Swisher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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